Specialist educational provision by areas of need

Here you will find useful information on the educational support that is available to your child or young person in their area of need.

Children and young people with autism

We have three primary schools and two secondary schools that have an additionally resourced provision for children with Autism.
Read more about mainstream schools with additionally resourced provision (ARPs).

Deaf and hearing impairment

Educational provision for children and young people who are deaf within Camden is primarily in mainstream early years settings, schools and colleges. Placements are supported by two qualified advisory teachers of the deaf.

Children are supported wherever possible to access mainstream provision, including children who have cochlear implants.

If a deaf child at secondary age has a range of more complex needs that require specialist support, we identify settings outside of the borough depending on their needs.

We access the Laycock Hearing Impairment Unit, an Islington provision for primary-aged children based in a mainstream school.

We also have a specialist primary school for deaf children, Frank Barnes School, which makes provision for children from the age of 2 to 11 years old. Frank Barnes School offers a range of courses and training opportunities for families of pupils, the wider deaf and hearing community, and other professionals.
You can visit the Frank Barnes website and get more information about special schools and other specialist providers.

Language and communication difficulties

Most children and young people with learning difficulties attend mainstream provision.

We have one primary school, Torriano Primary School, with Additionally Resourced Provision for children with a complex language delay.

Learning difficulties

Most children and young people with learning difficulties attend mainstream education provision, including children with Down Syndrome and moderate learning difficulties.

We have one special school for children with severe and profound learning difficulties, including those who also have autism.

Swiss Cottage School is a 5-times outstanding special school that:

accommodates children aged 2 to 19 years old with complex learning difficulties
offers short breaks facilities for out-of-school hours learning
has small residential facilities for overnight stays for selected children

It is a highly successful teaching school leading an alliance of schools and other organisations, offering professional development for staff. It also has a development and research centre, which works locally, nationally and internationally. Read more on the Swiss Cottage School website.

Physical disabilities

Educational provision for children and young people who have physical disabilities is primarily in mainstream early years settings, schools and colleges. We also have Additionally Resourced Provision at one primary school and one secondary school.

Education provision for children and young people who have SEMH difficulties is primarily in mainstream early years settings, schools and colleges. Schools work closely with a range of professionals such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health services and Educational Psychologists. These professionals support children and young people in the place where they learn.

A Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) is an education provision where a young person can be placed if they are having difficulties in school and need a shorter time away from their mainstream school in a specialist setting. We have two PRUs in Camden.

Children who are excluded from their primary school can also be placed in a PRU. You can get more information about special schools and other specialist providers.

Visual impairment

Education provision for children and young people who are blind or visually impaired is primarily in mainstream early years settings, schools and colleges. Placements are supported by a qualified specialist advisory teacher.

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